Electrical distant control



Feb. 9, 1932. E. BODER ELECTRICAL DI STANT CONTROL Filed June 13, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1.

Feb. 9, 1932. E. BODER ELECTRICAL DISTAN'I' CONTROL Filed June 13. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES ERNST BODER, F OLTEN, SWITZERLAND ELECTRICAL DISTANT CONTROL Application filed June 13, 1928, Serial No. 285,197, and in Switzerland June 23, 1927.

The distant control of electrical contact apparatus by means of switch relays is known. It is also known in connection with apparatus adapted to be operated at predetermined times in weak current practice, to send controlling current impulses by means of a main clock (master clock) and to utilize them in additional clocks at the places of consumption for switching purposes. The provision of such additional clocks is expensive, and frequently results in complicated installations, and in the event of the additional clocks being cut off from or not corresponding with the main clock, ditficulties are certain to arise in regulating the additional clocks because as a. rule automatic switch adj ustment of the latter in synchronous running with main clock is impossible from the central station.

The present invention relates to apparatus for the distant control of electrical contact apparatus, which is adapted both for weak current and for strong current practice and dispenses with the additional clocks and by employing a time switch or in fact any motor mechanism at the central station and distant control switch relays known per se upon the latter getting out of synchronism with the time switch or the motor mechanism an automatic adjustment of the distant switch relays from the central station is made possible.

According to the present invention the time switch or motor mechanism at the central station, which controls the transmission of electrical current impulses for the control of the distant switch relay or relays at the points of consumption is adapted to maintain an auxiliary switch continuously in movement with a station switch relay running synchronously with the distant switch relays so that in the event of these switch relays getting out of synchronism with the switch clock or motor mechanism the auxiliary switch moves relatively to the station switch relay and is thereby influenced to prepare a circuit for effecting an automatic adjustment or the switch relays.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the portion of the apparatus provided at central or transformer station, some i the rotating elements of the apparatus being shown in perspective for the sake of simplicity.

Figure 2 illustrates the distant control switch relays at the current consumption points.

Referring first to Figure 1, a time disc 1 serving here as a motor actuated time switch r the station is operated by clock mechat 'hustrated in the drawings) and a revolution in hours. The time I; secured to a shaft 2 adapted to con- ;arious switches and another rotatable ime disc 3 is provided which is adapted to be actuated through toothed gearing 4, by means of a ratchet wheel 5 cooperating with pawl provided upon a lever 6 when an iron core 8 connected thereto, is attracted owing to the energization. of a solenoid 9.

A, A indicate the feeders for the consumers at the consumption points, B indicates the controlling circuit, or rather the auxiliary conductor thereof, by wiiich the contact apparatus at the consumption points is adapted to be controlled. This controlling circuit comprises two s\ eh bridges 2%, 26 displaced from one another by 90, the step by step movement oi which is adapted to be effected by an electromotor 10. The circuit of electromotor 1O controlled by a rotary switch 12, the axis t which is coincident with the axis of the shz it 2 and which is adapted to be actuated by the shaft 2 through transmission gearinc' l and a spring coupling lat represented merely diagrammatically. This rotation of the disc 1 and, at the s me time, of the shaft 2, causes an intermittent rotary movement of the switch 12 each time through approximately 90.

in the circuit of the motor two further bridge contacts 36, 18 are provided, the movable parts 16, of which are secured to a shaft 17 and, as shown in Figure 1, each pos sess two contact arms set at to one another, the contact arms of the part 16 being displaced from the corresponding ones of the part 18 by 180. Between the motor 10 and the shaft 17 a spring coupling 20 is provided with the same object as that described above.

The shaft 17 carries in addition to the movable parts of the contacts 16, 18, the above mentioned switch bridges 24, 26, which are adapted alternately to close the control circuit through the conductor 21 or 22.

On the shaft 2 of the time switch and insulated therefrom two collector rings 28, 30 are provided, these rings being interposed in an auxiliary circuit C of an auxiliary switch 32, which is mounted on a carrier 50 secured to the shaft 2. The movable part of the switch 32 is secured on and insulated from the axis 51 mounted in bearings in the carrier 50 so as to be itself rotatable therein. The other end of the axis 51 is provided with a finger'disc 34 loosely mounted thereon, which is connected by means of a coupling spring 52 to a stop disc 53 secured to the axis, with which a spring bolt 54 cooperates. This arrangement is intended to effect an intermittent actuation of the auxiliary switch 32. The finger disc 34 is under the influence of the time disc 3 for which purpose it is provided at the periphery with a pin 36.

38,40 are hand switches and 42, 44 control relays. The object of these elements will be evident from the description of the method of operation.

At each of the consumption pointsin Figure 2 two are illustrated-a distant control switch relay 60 is provided, the time disc 61 of which is adapted by means of its adjustable fingers 62, to open and close at predetermined periods of time the auxiliary circuit or circuits D by means of one or more rotary switches 63. These relays are actuated intermittently, as is the time disc 3, by means of a pawl and ratchet mechanism 64 by current impulses supplied to an electric actuating device connected thereto.

At one of the two illustrated consumption points this actuating device consists of a solenoid 65, similar to that shown at 9 in Figure 1, whilst at the other consumption point the pawl and ratchet mechanism 64 is arranged to be actuated by a small electromotor 66.

The method of operation of the apparatus is as follows:

- At the central or transformer station, the time disc 1 is rotated by means of the clock mechanism at a uniform speed, and for example, every 5 minutes effects step by step, a reversal of the switch 12 by means of the spring coupling 14, whilst the auxiliary switch 32 mounted on the carrier 50 taking part in the rotary movement of the disc shaft 2, revolves together with the finger disc 34 around the time disc 3. The reversal of the switch 12 has the following result.

Assuming that such a reversal has taken place the switch 12 has closed the circuit of the motor 10 through a, b, c, d, 16, e, 12, f, 9,

and the motor 10 rotates the shaft 17 through the intermediary of the springcoupling 20, through 90, whereby the switch bridge 26 is opened and the bridge 24 closed. The result is that the control circuit B is closed through the conductor 21 so as to supply the solenoid coil 9 at the station and the electric actuating devices 65, 66 of the switch relays at the con sumption points with current, so that a uniform actuation of the time discs at the sta tion and the consumption points results.

Whilst therefor the time disc 1 rotates in continuous movement, the time discs 3 at the station and the time discs 61 at the consumption points are periodically and intermittent ly actuated.

The rotation of shaft 17 through 90 permits the second arm of the contact part 16 again to close the circuit ag of the motor 10, so that the latter effects a further rotation through 90 of the shaft 17, thereby opening the switch bridge 24, and closing the bridge 26, whilst now the contact part 16 interrupts the motor circuit over ag, but at the bridging contact 18 of the contact part 18 prepares a motor circuit for further operation through a, b, 0, (Z, 18, 6 The opening of the switch bridge 24 and the closing of the switch bridge 26 cuts out the actuating devices 9, 65, 66 of the switch relays and closes their circuits through the conductor 22, so that all the switch relays are deenergized and locked. The apparatus remains in this state until after 5 minutes, another current impulse is supplied. As soon as the period of 5 minutes has elapsed and the time switch at the station has moved the switch 12 through the intermediary of the spring couplin 14 through a further angle of 90, the previously prepared circuit of the motor 10 is closed through a, Z), 0, (Z, 18, e 12, f, g, and the motor 10 again efi'ects as before, in two consecutive switch movements of 90 each the energization of the switch relays through the conductor 21 and then again their deenergization and locking through the conductor 22 in order automatically to actuate the time discs of the switch relays at the station and at the consumption points by means of their actuating devices 9, 65, and 66. This process is repeated periodically every five minutes and the time discs of the switch relays thus follow synchronously the time disc 1 of the station. switch or clock. The movement of the switch relays is intermittent, but temporarily they will be in agreement with the time switch or clock at the main station every five minutes.

The mode of operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism of the switch relays is obvious; upon rotation of the pawl lever in one direction the pawl will slide over the teeth of the cooperating ratchet wheel while upon rotation of the pawl lever in the opposite direction the ratchet wheel is rotated by an amount corresponding to the rotation of the time disc 1 of the station time switch or clock, so that the time discs of all switch relays point always on the same time every five minutes as the time disc of the station time switch or clock.

All these operations occur normally and the auxiliary switch 32, which rotating with the shaft 2 revolves round the time disc 3, is not altered in its relative adjustment to the time disc 3. At the consumption points, the time discs 61 of the switch relays act in a known manner to cut off and connect the consumer with the current supply at predetermined times by means of the rotary switch 63.

If the switch relays provided at the station and at the consumption points should fail to synchronize with the time switch or clock at the station, as for instance when a portion of the system is cut off for repair, so that the clock or time switch at the station continues at a uniform speed, and the switch relays are not supplied with current impulses from the station, then the carrier 50 adapted to be rotated together with the auxiliary switch 32 about the shaft 2 will, after a relatively short period of time, move the finger disc 34 through such a distance relatively to the time disc 3 that its finger 34 will strike against the pin 36 on the disc 3 and thus close the hitherto open auxiliary switch 32. The latter will remain closed whilst the carrier 50 continues its movement relatively to the stationary time disc 3.

But when the system is again completed, a circuit will also be closed through a, 10, b, c, 2', 30, 32, 28, f, 9, so that the motor 10 is immediately started, and by actuating the switch bridges 24, 26 so controls the circuits of the switch relays which have been deenergized and left behind that the latter automatically actuate their time discs step by step, until the switch relays synchronize with the station clock or time switch again, which will occur, when the time disc 3 at the station has caught up the finger disc 34 and actuated the finger again so as to open the auxiliary switch 32. The switch relays then continue to be actuated synchronously with the station clock or time switch. After the actuation of the switch relays it is necessary for the motor 10 to open the closed switch bridge 24, and to close the bridge 26 so as to prepare the apparatus for sending and utilizing the next controlling current impulse.

In order that in the event of one or other of the feeders A or A being cut off at the interruption point (a (or :0 in all conductors, the switch relays at the consumption points can be synchronized by hand with the station clock or time switch, the hand switches 38, 40 corresponding to the consumption points are provided, the alternate closing and opening of these hand switches when the system is cut out permitting consecutive current impulses to be sent from the positive conductor through switch 38 (40) and through a shunt circuit m (m to the zero or neutral conductor (O) of the feeder A (A cut off from the system through the actuating devices of the switch relays (66) at the consumption points to the auxiliary conductor B and back to the current carrying zero or neutral conductor of the system, so that these switch relays are intermittently energized and thus successively advanced up to normal running, an additional circuit n (n) being simultaneously closed through the control relays 42 (44).

These control relays are of similar construction to the station relay and are therefore only illustrated diagrammatically in the drawings, to control or observe the synchronous running of these relays.

In the positive conductor of the above mentioned shunt circuit a. safety device p is provided, which is necessary in order to obviate a short circuit between the current carrying positive conductor and the zero or neutral conductor to be previously cut off from the system.

This arrangement in which the current carrying positive conductor is connected to the zero or neutral conductor adapted to be cut off from the system is for instance necessary in cases where the auxiliary conductor B is grounded and consists for example of a metallic water conduit. otherwise the other conductors together with the relays of the feeder A running in synchronism with the main clock, would also be influenced by this hand control and would thereby be moved in advance of the main clock.

When the relays to be stepped along are synchronized, then the knife switch of the zero or neutral conductor is closed at 00 (:0 so that upon the next impulse being given by the main clock the relays temporarily separated from the system are again automatically controlled for synchronous running. Afterwards the safety devices of the remaining conductors are closed at as whereby the disconnected consumption conductors are again put in operation.

If during hand operation the main clock is accidentally operative, the relays to be stepped along will receive for a few times the same potential (positive) from two sides and no injury to the apparatus will result.

As will be evident it is of advantage in the arrangement described, that a time clock at the central station effects the actuation of the switch or switches at the consumption points at predetern'iined times not by means of individual auxiliary clocks in response to the station clock, as in weak current practi e, but by means of distant switch relays provided with time discs controlled by current impulses, so that at the consumption points sensitive and expensive clock work is obviated, This makes it possible to connect and as distinct from previous arrangements where such connections at predetermined times could only be efiected at the consumption points from an associated clockwork mechanism.

From the point of view of installation it may be stated that with a single distant control circuit several switches can be controlled simultaneously independently of each other, owing to the fact that the distant switch relays are provided with time discs adapted to produce the connections or disconnections at any desired adjustable periods.

In place of a time switch or clock at the central station any other motor mechanism, such as a spring motor, could be employed. Similarly instead of a distant switch relay having a time disc a distant switch relay can be used which isprovided with a gear synchronously adjustable by means of motor mechanism.

WVhat I claim is 1. A system for distant control of electrical contact apparatus, comprising in combination a time motor mechanism at a central station, a number of distant switch relays for controlling feeder connection, a control circuit connected to said switch relays for actuating same, an automatic current impulse transmitter in connection with said control circuit, an electromotor connected with said current impulse transmitter, a control switch arranged to control the circuit of said electromotor, connections between said control switch and the time motor mechanism so as I to actuate saidcontrol switch at desired time intervals, for the purpose of synchronous operation of the distant switch relays with said time motor mechanism, and an automatic.

transmitter, a control switch arranged to control the circuit of said electromotor, connections between said controlswitch and the time motor mechanism so as to actuate said control switch at desired time intervals, for the purpose of synchronous operation of the distant switch relays and the central station time relay, an auxiliary circuit for said electromotor, an auxiliary switch for this auxiliary circuit, connected to said time motor mechanism and arranged with respect to the time disc of the central station time relay so as to revolve around same synchronously therewith, and interconnecting means between said auxiliary switch and said central stationtime relay disc for causing the former to complete the auxiliary motor circuit and thereby cause the operation of the current impulse transmitter in the event of the relays being out of synchronous running with the time motor mechanism.

8. A system for distant control of electrical contact apparatus, comprising in combination a time motor mechanism at the central station, a time relay at said station, having a revolving time disc, a number of distant switch relays for controlling feeder connec tion, a control circuit connected to the central station time relay and the distant switch relays for simultaneously actuating same, an automatic current impulse transmitter in connection with said control circuit, an electromotor connected with said current impulse transmitter, a control switch arranged to control the circuit of said electromotor, connections between said control switch and the time motor mechanism so as to actuate said control switch at desired timeintervals,for the purpose of synchronous operation of the distant switch relays and the central station time relay, an auxiliary circuit for said electromotor, an auxiliary switch for this auxiliary circuit, a movable carrier for supporting said auxiliary switch, fixed on the main rotating shaft ofthe time motor mechanism in such a position with respect to the time disc of the central station time relay as to revolve around same synchronously therewith, and interconnecting means between said auxiliary switch and said central station time relay disc for causing the former to complete the auxiliary motor circuit and thereby cause the operation of the current impulse transmitter in the event of the relays being out of synchronous running with the time motor mechanism. 7

. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 25th day of May 1928.

ERNST BODER. 

